Article of footwear with channel drainage system

ABSTRACT

An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and the insole defines a first drainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove that spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole. The first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at least first groove of the first drainage network. A channel drainage component includes an insole and a midsole. The insole has a top surface and a bottom surface and defines a first drainage canal running from the top surface to the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network that includes a first groove, and the first drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the first groove of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surface of the insole. The midsole includes a top surface having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region, and the midsole defines at least one discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole. The inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and water entering the first drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enter the groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channel in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through the orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/168,292, filed Dec. 1, 1999, the complete disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention generally relates to articles of footwear andmethods for constructing articles of footwear. This invention moreparticularly relates to articles of footwear having a channel system orsystem of channels for removing water from the interior of the articleof footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Articles of footwear have long been worn by humans to protecttheir feet while walking or running over uneven surfaces. In the past,articles of footwear were typically constructed of natural materialssuch as leather. However, as technology has provided new materials suchas vulcanized rubber and polymeric materials, the variety of materialsfrom which articles of footwear have been constructed has increased.

[0004] Articles of footwear have been designed for use in a wide varietyof environments. For example, some articles of footwear have beendesigned for use in wet environments including wading, where thefootwear will be submerged in water at some point during use.

[0005] Articles of footwear for use in wet conditions haveconventionally been designed to be impermeable to water such that nowater may enter the article of footwear through the bottom portion ofthe shoe or boot. One problem with such design is that water that doesenter such a shoe or boot will be trapped and remain around the foot ofa wearer leading to wearer discomfort and conditions favorable for thedevelopment of fungus, bacteria, and odors associated with these.Although some conventional forms of footwear designed for use in wet ormoist terrain are designed to be breathable, water that enters sucharticles of footwear is again trapped and tends to remain around thefoot of a wearer because water that enters such footwear will onlyslowly leave unless the shoe or boot is removed from the foot.

[0006] A need thus remains for an article of footwear that can besubmerged in streams, ponds, lakes and other wet conditions, and whichprovides a drainage system to remove water from the article of footwearso that it can be worn under varying conditions and remain comfortableon the foot of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention relates to an article of footwear for use invarying conditions that has a channel system designed to allow water torun out the article of footwear and prevent it from remaining around thefoot of a wearer.

[0008] An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining aroundthe foot of a wearer, includes: an upper main body having a bottom and atop portion; and a sole portion attached to the bottom of the upper mainbody. The sole portion includes an outsole; an insole; and a midsolehaving a top and a bottom surface and attached to the outsole and theinsole. The sole portion also includes a bottom exterior surface and anexterior side surface that includes a heel portion, a toe portion, and amidfoot portion. The midfoot portion of the exterior side surface of thesole portion defines at least one orifice and the midsole defines atleast one channel that is connected to the orifice such that water inthe liquid form will flow out the article of footwear through theorifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion.

[0009] In a preferred article of footwear according to the presentinvention, the exterior side surface of the midfoot portion of the soleportion defines at least two orifices and the midsole defines at leasttwo channels connected to the orifices on the exterior side surface ofthe midfoot portion of the sole portion of the article of footwear.

[0010] In more preferred articles of footwear according to the presentinvention, the exterior side surface of the sole portion defines aplurality of orifices and the midsole defines a channel system thatconnects to each of the orifices on the exterior side surface of thesole portion of the article of footwear.

[0011] In various preferred articles of footwear, the midsole is made ofrubber.

[0012] In more preferred articles of footwear, the insole is positionedover the midsole and forms a top surface of the channels in the midsole.In still more preferred articles of footwear, the insole defines atleast one drainage canal, but more preferably defines a plurality ofdrainage canals, wherein at least one of the drainage canals is incommunication with at least one channel in the midsole.

[0013] An article of footwear with a drainage system, includes: an uppermain body having a bottom portion and a top portion; and a sole portionattached to the bottom portion of the upper main body. The sole portionof the article of footwear includes: an outsole; a channel drainagecomponent having a top and a bottom surface; a bottom exterior surface;and an exterior side surface including a heel portion, a toe portion,and a midfoot portion. The channel drainage component is attached to theupper main body and the outsole. The midfoot portion of the exteriorside surface of the sole portion defines at least one orifice and thechannel drainage component defines at least one channel connected to theorifice. Water in the liquid form will flow out the article of footwearthrough the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion.

[0014] In certain preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system,the channel drainage component is a one-piece component whereas in otherpreferred such articles of footwear, the channel drainage componentincludes at least two separate parts.

[0015] In more preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system,the top surface of the channel drainage component defines at least onedrainage hole that allows water to drain from an inside portion of thearticle of footwear into the channel of the channel drainage componentand out the orifice on the exterior side surface of the sole portion. Instill more preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system, thetop surface of the channel drainage system defines a plurality ofdrainage holes that allow water to drain from an inside portion of thearticle of footwear into the channel of the channel drainage component.

[0016] In various preferred articles of footwear with a drainage system,the top surface of the channel drainage component is a substantiallyplanar insole that defines at least one drainage hole that allows waterto drain from an inside portion of the article of footwear into thechannel of the channel drainage component.

[0017] A channel drainage component for use in construction of anarticle of footwear or sole assembly, includes: a main body defining atleast one channel; an exterior side surface configured to serve anexterior side surface of an article of footwear or sole assembly; abottom surface adapted to be attached to another component of a soleassembly; a top surface defining at least one drainage hole that allowswater to drain from an area above the top surface and into the channelin the main body of the channel drainage component. The exterior sidesurface of the channel drainage component defines at least one orificeconnected to the channel, but preferably defines a plurality of orificesconnected to the channel.

[0018] In some preferred channel drainage components, the channeldrainage component is of one-piece construction, whereas in otherpreferred channel drainage components, the channel drainage componentcomprises at least two separate components attached to one another. Insome of these preferred channel drainage components, the top surface ofthe channel drainage component comprises an insole.

[0019] Various preferred sole assemblies according to the presentinvention include an outsole attached to a channel drainage component asdescribed above. Various preferred articles of footwear include an uppermain body attached to a sole assembly that includes an outsole attachedto the channel drainage component described above.

[0020] An insole for use in constructing a channel drainage component isalso provided. The insole includes a top surface and a bottom surface,and the insole defines at least a first drainage canal that runs throughthe insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface ofthe insole. Additionally, the bottom surface of the insole defines atleast a first drainage network that includes at least a first groovethat spirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surfaceof the insole. Furthermore, the first drainage canal runs from the topsurface of the insole into the at least first groove of the firstdrainage network. Preferred such insoles include a toe portion or a heelportion or both and the bottom surface of the toe portion or heelportion define the first drainage network. In other preferred suchinsoles, the insole defines a plurality of drainage canals and eachdrainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into a groove ofa drainage network defined by the bottom surface of the insole.

[0021] In still other preferred insoles, the insole defines a seconddrainage canal that runs through the insole from the top surface of theinsole to the bottom surface of the insole. In such preferred insoles,the bottom surface of the insole defines a second drainage network thatincludes a second groove that spirals outward from a second centralregion in the bottom surface of the insole. The second drainage canal insuch insoles runs from the top surface of the insole into the secondgroove of the second drainage network.

[0022] The invention further provides a channel drainage component thatincludes an insole and a midsole. The insole includes a top surface anda bottom surface, and the insole defines a first drainage canal runningfrom the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole.The bottom surface of the insole defines a first drainage network thatincludes a first groove, and the first drainage canal runs from the topsurface of the insole into the first groove of the first drainagenetwork defined in the bottom surface of the insole. The midsoleincludes a top surface having a toe portion with an end-of-toe region,and the midsole defines at least one discrete channel having an innerend and an outer end connected to an orifice on an exterior side surfaceof the midsole. The inner end of the channel is closer to the end-of-toeregion of the midsole than is the outer end of the channel, and waterentering the first drainage canal from the top surface of the insolewill enter the groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain intothe channel in the midsole, and exit the channel drainage componentthrough the orifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainagecomponent.

[0023] Preferred channel drainage components are also provided thatinclude an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole. Theoutsole includes an exterior bottom surface and the orifice on theexterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.5 cm from theclosest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole. In otherpreferred such channel drainage components the orifice on the exteriorside surface of the midsole is at least about 0.7 cm from the closespart of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole while in still otherpreferred channel drainage components this distance is at least about1.0 cm. Still other preferred such channel drainage components areprovided in which the outsole is a material selected from a fibrousmaterial suitable for use in a wader, rubber, or a mixture of these.

[0024] In some preferred channel drainage components, the bottom surfaceof the insole defines a second drainage network that includes a secondgroove whereas in other preferred channel drainage components, theinsole defines a plurality of drainage canals running from the topsurface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole. In somepreferred channel drainage components, the first groove spirals outwardfrom a first central region in the bottom surface of the insole whereasin still other preferred channel drainage components having a seconddrainage network, a second groove spirals outward from a seconddifferent central region in the bottom surface of the insole.

[0025] Other preferred channel drainage components are provided in whichthe midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels and eachchannel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orifice on theexterior side surface of the midsole. In still other preferred channeldrainage components, the midsole defines a plurality of separatediscrete channels and each channel has an inner end and an outer endconnected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of the midsole. Insuch preferred channel drainage components, the inner end of eachchannel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than is theouter end of each channel. Still further preferred such channel drainagecomponents are provided in which each channel defined in the top surfaceof the midsole is arcuate.

[0026] The invention still further provides articles of footwearconstructed from the insoles and channel drainage components accordingto the invention.

[0027] Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention willhereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings,wherein like numerals denote like elements and:

[0029]FIG. 1 is a right side view of an article of footwear according tothe present invention;

[0030]FIG. 2 is a left side view of the article of footwear shown inFIG. 1;

[0031]FIG. 3 is an exploded partial view of the left side of the articleof footwear shown in FIG. 1;

[0032]FIG. 4 is a top view of a midsole used in an article of footwearaccording to the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 5 is a top view of an insole attached to a midsole for use inan article of footwear according to the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 6 is a top view of an insole according to a first preferredembodiment for use in constructing an article of footwear according tothe present invention;

[0035]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the insole shown in FIG. 6; and

[0036]FIG. 8 is a top side perspective view of a midsole/outsolecomponent according to a preferred embodiment for use in constructing anarticle of footwear according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] An article of footwear that prevents water from remaining aroundthe foot of a wearer, generally appears similar to other articles offootwear. Such an article of footwear may include athletic sportingshoes, boots, and other types of footwear. An article of footwearaccording to the present invention may be made of a wide variety ofmaterials conventionally used in the construction of footwear such as,but not limited to, rubber and other elastomeric materials, leather,suede, textiles, synthetic polymeric materials and combinations of thesematerials.

[0038] An article of footwear having a channel drainage system generallyincludes a sole assembly attached to an upper main body. Generally, asole assembly will include at least one outsole component although itmay contain a number of different outsole components that make up theoutsole. Various materials may be used in the construction of theoutsole component as this is not critical to the construction of eitherthe channel drainage system component or the article of footwear withsuch a drainage component.

[0039] The channel drainage component for use in the construction ofarticles of footwear or sole assemblies generally includes channels thatconnect to an orifice, or more preferably two or more orifices so thatwater will exit an article of footwear or sole assembly though theorifice or orifices rather than remaining around the foot of a wearerwithin the interior part of the article of footwear. The orifice ororifices are preferably located on the side of a constructed article offootwear, most preferably in the midfoot portion of the shoe or boot andabove the outsole component, although those skilled in the art willobserve that the positions of the orifices can be modified.

[0040] The channel drainage component may be of one-piece constructionor may be made of two or more pieces joined together. Generally, thechannel drainage component will have a top surface defining one, andpreferably more, channel drainage canals or holes that allow water todrain from around the foot of a wearer into the channels of a channeldrainage system and then out the orifice or orifices on the side of thechannel drainage component or article of footwear constructed therefrom.In multi-part channel system drainage components, the top surface of thechannel drainage component may constitute a substantially planar insolecomponent such that the drainage holes in the insole of the channeldrainage component are located directly beneath the foot of a wearer.Additionally, another part of the channel drainage component mayconstitute a midsole with channels connected to the orifice or orificeson the side of the channels drainage component or the article offootwear. In this way, an article of footwear may be constructed usingthe channel drainage component without departing from standard methodsof footwear construction. Thus, the invented channel drainage system orcomponent can be used with virtually any conventional method of shoe orboot construction to provide an article of footwear that prevents waterfrom remaining around the foot of a wearer by allowing it to drain outthe article of footwear.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an article of footwear 10 that preventswater from remaining around the foot of a wearer generally includes asole portion 20 attached to an upper main body 30 that includes a top 32and bottom 36 portion. For simplicity and general discussion, thearticle of footwear 10 can be divided into various regions. Such regionsinclude a toe portion 40, a heel portion 50, and a midfoot portion 60which is generally the area that extends from the arch of the foot tothe area where the metatarsal bones meet the phalanges. The upper mainbody 30 of typical article of footwear 10 in accordance with the presentinvention generally includes a front toe piece 70; a rear heel piece 80;an achilles piece 90 attached to a tab 100; a leg cushion 110; aneyehole piece 120 with eyeholes 130 for a shoelace; a tongue 140;ornamental features such as upper orifices 150; and a main body webbing160. As those skilled in the art will quickly recognize, theconstruction of the upper main body 30 of the article of footwear 10 ofthe present invention is not critical to the invention and may bechanged considerably depending on the design or intended use of thearticle of footwear.

[0042] The sole portion 20 of the article of footwear 10 generallyincludes a heel portion 170; an outsole 180; an optional intermediarysole 190; and a midsole 200. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the sole portion 20of the article of footwear 10 defines an exterior side surface of thearticle of footwear 10 which can be divided into a heel portion 50, amidfoot portion 60, and a toe portion 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, themidfoot portion 60 of the exterior side surface 205 of midsole 200defines at least one orifice 210. More preferably, the midfoot portion60 of the exterior side surface 205 defines two or more orifices 210. Asshown in FIG. 4, orifices 210 are connected to channels 220 defined bythe midsole 200. Although the midsole may be constructed of variousmaterials, it is preferred that it be made of rubber, or anotherelastomeric material. The channels 220 defined by midsole 200 may havevarious orientations, but should connect with orifices 210 so that waterin the liquid form may exit the article of footwear 10 though theorifices 210 on the exterior side surface 205 of the sole portion 20from the interior of the article of footwear 10.

[0043] A shown in FIG. 5, an insole 230 is attached over the midsole 200so that it covers channels 220 (FIG. 4). The insole may be constructedof various materials such as, but not limited to, leather, rubber, or anelastomeric polymer and may be constructed of both porous or non-porousmaterials. Preferably, insole 230 defines at least one drainage canal ordrainage hole 240 in communication with a channel 220 so that water maydrain through drainage canal or hole 240 into channel 220 and outorifice 210 in the exterior side of the sole portion 20. More preferablyan insole 230 will contain a plurality of drainage canals or holes 240to provide additional avenues though which liquid water, water in thevapor form, or air can flow and exit the article of footwear 10. Theinsole thus provides support for the foot of a wearer of the article offootwear 10 and prevents water from remaining around the foot of thewearer.

[0044] As described above, insole 230 and midsole 200 work together toform a channel drainage component having at least two components.However, in some preferred articles of footwear including a channeldrainage component, the channel drainage component will be made ofone-piece. In such alternative, but preferred articles of footwear, thechannel drainage system will include a top surface which allows water todrain from inside the article of footwear into a channel in the channeldrainage component and out the orifice of the exterior side surface ofthe sole portion of the article of footwear.

[0045] Although the drainage canal or hole 240, channels 220, andorifices 210 are shown in the midfoot portion 60 of the midsole 200 andinsole 230, it will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art offootwear design and construction that these structures may also bepresent in the heel and toe portions of the article of footwear.

[0046] A preferred embodiment of an insole for use in constructing anarticle of footwear according to the present invention is shown in FIGS.6 and 7. As shown in FIG. 6, insole 300 has a top surface 310 whichincludes a toe portion 320 with an end-of-toe region 322, a midfootportion 325, and a heel portion 330. Insole 300 may be made of variousmaterials known to those skilled in the art, but is preferably made ofrubber which is rigid enough so that its surface is not observablycompressed when pressed on by hand. However, insole 300 is preferablymade of a rubber such that it will bend when pressure is applied toend-of-toe region 322 and heel portion 330. Top surface 310 of insole300 preferably defines at least one drainage canal or hole such as toeportion drainage canal 340 or heel portion drainage canal 345. Drainagecanals 340 and 345 run from top surface 310 through insole 300 to bottomsurface 350 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 6, top surface 310 ofinsole 300 preferably defines at least two drainage canals (340 and 345)and still more preferably defines a plurality of drainage canals orholes (340 and 345) through which water will drain away from the innerarea of an article of footwear constructed using insole 300 and into adrainage network on the bottom surface 350 of insole 300.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7, insole 300 has a bottom surface 350 having atoe portion 320 with an end-of toe region 322, a midfoot portion 325,and a heel portion 330. Toe portion drainage canals 340 preferably drainwater from the foot of a wearer in a completed article of footwear intoa toe portion drainage network 360 defined by the bottom surface 350 ofinsole 300. Toe portion drainage network 360 is made up of at least onegroove 370 defined by bottom surface 350 of insole 300. In morepreferred embodiments such as that shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, toe portiondrainage network 360 is made up of at least one outwardly radiatinggroove which is more preferably continuous such as groove 370. Mostpreferably, toe portion drainage network 360 comprises a continuousgroove 370 which radiates outward from a central region 380 of bottomsurface 350 of toe portion 320 of insole 300. Therefore, in a mostpreferred embodiment, toe portion drainage network 360 may be describedas made up of an outwardly radiating continuous groove or channel thatspirals outward from central region 380.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 7, bottom surface 350 of heel portion 330 ofinsole 300 may also include a drainage network such as heel portiondrainage network 390. Heel portion drainage canals 345 preferably drainwater from the foot of a wearer in a completed article of footwear intoheel portion drainage network 390 defined by the bottom surface 350 ofheel portion 330 of insole 300. Heel portion drainage network 390generally has many of the same characteristics as toe portion drainagenetwork 360, and especially preferred insoles for use in constructingarticles of footwear according to the present invention include both atoe portion drainage network 360 and a heel portion drainage network 390as shown in FIG. 7. Heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of atleast one groove 400. In more preferred embodiments such as that shownin FIG. 7, heel portion drainage network 390 is made up of at least oneoutwardly radiating groove 400 which is more preferably continuous. Mostpreferably, heel portion drainage network 390 comprises a continuousgroove 400 which radiates outward from a central region 410 of bottomsurface 350 of heel portion 330 of insole 300. Therefore, in a mostpreferred embodiment, heel portion drainage network 390 may be describedas made up of an outwardly radiating continuous groove 400 that spiralsoutward from central region 410.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, it is highly preferred that toe portiondrainage canals 340 are located in the bottom of groove 370 in toeportion drainage network 360. It is also highly preferred that heelportion drainage canals 345 are located in the bottom of groove 400 ofheel portion drainage network 390. The proper placement of drainagecanals (340 and 345) in toe and heel portions (320 and 330) of insole300 helps to insure that water draining from inside an article offootwear constructed therefrom is directed through drainage canals (340and 345) into drainage networks (360 and 390). One skilled in the artwill recognize that the midfoot portion 325 of insole 300 may also beequipped with drainage canals and a complimentary channel drainagenetwork.

[0050] Insole 300 is preferably used in conjunction with a complimentarymidsole such as midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450 shown inFIG. 8. Midsole/outsole component 450 includes midsole 460 attached tooutsole 470 which may be made of various materials known to thoseskilled in the art. Fibrous materials known to those skilled in the artare particularly valuable in the construction of outsoles for use inwaders whereas rubber outsoles are highly preferred in many other typesof footwear construction. Midsole 460 includes a toe portion 480 with anend-of-toe region 482, a midfoot portion 490 and a heel portion 500. Thetop surface 505 of midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450 definesat least one channel 510, but preferably defines at least two channels510. More preferably, top surface 505 of midsole 460 defines a pluralityof channels 510, most preferably separate as shown in FIG. 8. Drainagechannels 510 are preferably discrete having an inner end 520 and anouter end 530 connecting to and forming orifice 540 on the exterior sideof an article of footwear manufactured from midsole/outsole component450. Thus, highly preferred midsoles 460 according to the presentinvention have a plurality of discrete channels 510 which are notconnected to one another as shown in FIG. 8. Furthermore, in highlypreferred midsoles 460 according to the present invention, each discretechannel 510 will have an inner end 520 and an outer end 530 connected toan orifice 540 on the exterior side surface of the midsole 460.

[0051] Preferred midsole/outsole components 450 such as that shown inFIG. 8 include drainage channels 510 in both toe portion 480 and heelportion 500 such that drainage canals (340 and 345 in FIGS. 6 and 7) anddrainage networks (360 and 390 in FIG. 7) in these regions of insole 300will supply drained water to complimentary drainage channels 510 definedin top surface 505 of midsole 460 of midsole/outsole component 450. Inother words, drainage canals (340 and 345) and drainage networks (360and 390) of insole 300 preferably communicate with drainage channels 510in top surface 505 of corresponding midsole 460. Thus, insole 300 andmidsole 460 together form a channel drainage component that allows waterto drain away from around the foot of a wearer of an article of footwearconstructed therefrom and out orifices on the side or the article offootwear.

[0052] In preferred midsoles such as midsole 460 shown in FIG. 8,drainage channels 510 are designed so that inner ends 520 of drainagechannels 510 are closer to end-of toe region 482 of toe portion 480 ofmidsole 460 than outer end 530 is. Such a design allows water to drainfrom drainage channel 510 out orifice 540 yet minimizes the amount ofwater and debris that may enter orifice 540 during forward movement suchas when walking. In especially preferred midsole/outsole components 450such as that shown in FIG. 8, drainage channels 510 are arcuate andinner ends 520 are closer to end-of toe region 482 of midsole 460 thanouter ends 530 are. The outwardly radiating grooves (370 and 400) ofinsole 300 direct the water entering through drainage canals (340 and345) of insole 300 outward until it is in proper placement to enterchannels 510 and out orifices 540 in complimentary midsole 460 forming apreferred channel drainage component.

[0053] In more preferred midsole/outsole components such as that shownin FIG. 8, at least one orifice 540 on the exterior side surface ofmidsole/outsole component 450 is at least 0.5 cm and more preferably isat least 0.7 cm from the closest part of the exterior bottom surface 550of outsole 470. Still more preferably, the orifice is at least about 1.0cm from the closest part of exterior bottom surface 550 of outsole 470.The distance between orifice 540 and exterior bottom surface 550 ofoutsole 470 limits the amount of water that may enter orifice 540 whenwalking over a wet surface or through shallow puddles. Thus, in mostpreferred embodiments each of the orifices is at least about 0.5 cm fromthe surface of the ground, more preferably is at least about 0.7 cm fromthe surface of the ground, and still more preferably is at least about1.0 cm from the surface of the ground when the finished article offootwear is placed on the ground.

[0054] It is understood that the invention is not confined to theparticular embodiments set forth herein as illustrative, but embracesall such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insole for use in constructing a channeldrainage component, the insole comprising: a top surface and a bottomsurface, wherein the insole defines at least a first drainage canal thatruns through the insole from the top surface of the insole to the bottomsurface of the insole, further wherein the bottom surface of the insoledefines at least a first drainage network that comprises at least afirst groove that spirals outward from a first central region in thebottom surface of the insole, and further wherein the at least firstdrainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into the at leastfirst groove of the first drainage network.
 2. The insole according toclaim 1 , wherein the insole further comprises a toe portion and thefirst drainage network is defined by the bottom surface of the toeportion of the insole.
 3. The insole according to claim 1 , wherein theinsole further comprises a heel portion and the first drainage networkis defined by the bottom surface of the heel portion of the insole. 4.The insole according to claim 1 , wherein the insole defines a pluralityof drainage canals and each drainage canal runs from the top surface ofthe insole into a groove of a drainage network defined by the bottomsurface of the insole.
 5. The insole according to claim 1 , wherein theinsole defines at least a second drainage canal that runs through theinsole from the top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of theinsole, further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines atleast a second drainage network that comprises at least a second groovethat spirals outward from a second central region in the bottom surfaceof the insole, and further wherein the at least second drainage canalruns from the top surface of the insole into the at least second grooveof the second drainage network.
 6. A channel drainage component for usein constructing an article of footwear that prevents water fromremaining around the foot of a wearer, the channel drainage componentcomprising: (a) an insole comprising: a top surface and a bottomsurface, wherein the insole defines a first drainage canal running fromthe top surface of the insole to the bottom surface of the insole,further wherein the bottom surface of the insole defines a firstdrainage network that comprises a first groove, and further wherein thefirst drainage canal runs from the top surface of the insole into thefirst groove of the first drainage network defined in the bottom surfaceof the insole; and (b) a midsole comprising: a top surface having a toeportion with an end-of-toe region, wherein the midsole defines at leastone discrete channel having an inner end and an outer end connected toan orifice on an exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the innerend of the channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsolethan is the outer end of the channel, and further wherein water enteringthe first drainage canal from the top surface of the insole will enterthe groove in the bottom surface of the insole, drain into the channelin the midsole, and exit the channel drainage component through theorifice on the exterior side surface of the channel drainage component.7. The channel drainage component according to claim 6 , furthercomprising an outsole attached to a bottom surface of the midsole,wherein the outsole comprises an exterior bottom surface and the orificeon the exterior side surface of the midsole is at least about 0.5 cmfrom the closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole. 8.The channel drainage component according to claim 7 , wherein theorifice is at least about 0.7 cm from the closest part of the exteriorbottom surface of the outsole.
 9. The channel drainage componentaccording to claim 8 , wherein the orifice is at least about 1.0 cm fromthe closest part of the exterior bottom surface of the outsole.
 10. Thechannel drainage component according to claim 7 , wherein the outsolecomprises a material selected from the group consisting of a fibrousmaterial suitable for use in a wader and rubber.
 11. The channeldrainage component according to claim 6 , wherein the insole defines aplurality of drainage canals running from the top surface of the insoleto the bottom surface of the insole.
 12. The channel drainage componentaccording to claim 6 , wherein the bottom surface of the insole definesa second drainage network comprising a second groove.
 13. The channeldrainage component according to claim 12 , wherein the first groovespirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of theinsole and the second groove spirals outward from a second differentcentral region in the bottom surface of the insole.
 14. The channeldrainage component according to claim 6 , wherein the first groovespirals outward from a first central region in the bottom surface of theinsole.
 15. The channel drainage component according to claim 6 ,wherein the midsole defines at least two separate discrete channels andeach channel has an inner end and an outer end connected to an orificeon the exterior side surface of the midsole, wherein the inner end ofeach channel is closer to the end-of-toe region of the midsole than isthe outer end of each channel.
 16. The channel drainage componentaccording to claim 6 , wherein the midsole defines a plurality ofseparate discrete channels and each channel has an inner end and anouter end connected to an orifice on the exterior side surface of themidsole, wherein the inner end of each channel is closer to theend-of-toe region of the midsole than is the outer end of each channel.17. The channel drainage component according to claim 16 , wherein eachchannel is arcuate.
 18. An article of footwear, comprising: an uppermain body attached to the channel drainage component according to claim7 .
 19. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper main body attachedto the channel drainage component according to claim 14 and an outsoleattached to a bottom surface of the midsole.
 20. An article of footwear,comprising: an upper main body attached to the channel drainagecomponent according to claim 15 and an outsole attached to a bottomsurface of the midsole.